Railway construction



'4Feb. 7, 1939.l v. N. woLFERsBERGER 2,146,002

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 13, 1958 ITITMII-'r Patented Feb. 7, 1939 UNITED sTATEs PATENT GFFIQE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to railway construction and particularly to a bond or connection for anchoring a rail to associated crossties.

One `of the objects of the present invention is y5 to provide a rail-crosstie connection which is simple iny construction and easily assembled durn ing the process of laying new or replacing old rsections of railroad construction and readily dismantled in repairing lines already in service. l Another object of the invention is to provide a rail bond which positively prevents transverse or lateral shifting or movement of the rails, the bond being devoid of spikes, bolts or any other like securing means.

l Another object of the invention is the provisionof a rail-crosstie connection so arranged and constructed that tilting forces transmitted to the rail by superimposed rolling stock are distributed throughout an appreciable area of a subjacent 20 crosstie.

, A still `further object of the invention is the provision of means iixedly associated with the rails and positioned in the horizontal plane of the crosstie to arrest creeping or longitudinal move- 25 ment of the rails with respect to the crosstie.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a rail-crosstie connection of interlocking means ywhereby the rails are positively retained in a predetermined transverse position or relation.

30 These and numerous other objects will become apparent from the following description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawing which illustrates a form of the invention in variousy iigures and wherein:

Figure l is a plan view illustrating a section of railroad construction embodying the present invention; the section including a crosstie, two laterally spaced rails and means for anchoring the rails to the crosstie.

Li0 Figure 2 is a vertical View partially in elevation and partially in section to more clearly illustrate the invention, and is taken valong the lines 2-2 yof Figure 1J looking in the direction of the arrows.

45 Figure 3 is a view showing a crosstie in vertical section and the associated structure in elevation and is taken along the lines 3--3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a View similar to that of Figure 3 50 and illustrating a form of means associated with the construction to prevent creeping or longitudinal movement of the rails.

Figure 5 is a view taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the ar- 55 rows.

(Cl. 23S-299) Figure 6 is a plan View somewhat similar to the structure disclosed by Figure l with the exception that the construction is arranged to lock two adjacent crossties together and the contiguous or associated ends o'l superimposed rails 5 are secured together against relative vertical or transverse movement.

Figure '7 is a view taken along the lines l-l of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the various figures 10 oi the drawing and particularly to Figures l to 3 thereof, wherein like reference characters designate like parts, the numeral l indicates a section of railway construction comprising, in part, a plurality of crossties or transversely disposed rail supports 2. While only one crosstie is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in the various gures under immediate consideration, it will be clearly understood that a section oi railway construction comprses many of such crossties positioned a predetermined distance apart. The crosstie of the present invention is desirably shaped as an I in vertical cross section having a top horizontal flange 3 spaced vertically from a bottom correspondingly disposed ange 4. The top and bottom flanges 3 and 4 are integrally joined by means of a centrally disposed upright rib or web 5. The top flange 3 presents a horizontal bearing plate for a superimposed rail, while both the top liange 3 and bottom ange 4 30 form vertically spaced means for transmitting vertical loads to the roadbed or ballast (not shown). The crossties are preferably of commercial rolled sections and, if found desirable, may assume a configuration of any contour as it is not the present intention to limit the invention to the particular crosstie section illustrated.

As previously stated, the crosstie forms a subjacent support for transversely spaced, longitudinally extending rails 6 which are substantially of 40 conventional form and each of which comprises a head 'I and a vertical centrally disposed web 8, the latter of which terminates in lower supporting flanges 9 directed transversely of the rail on either side of the web to form a base plate l0 45 which preferably bears directly on the crosstie top flange 3.

The instant invention contemplates dispensing with the necessity of employing a track gauge used in replacing or repairing railway constructions so as to position the rails and successive sections in a constant transverse relation. It will, of course, be clearly understood that if the rails are not properly spaced and the space therebetween constantly maintained along the right of way derailment of the rolling stock will occur as well as lateral or transverse movements being set up or created in the rolling stock, which will result in considerable damage not only to the rolling stock but to the roadbed and railway construction. In accordance with the above, therefore, there has been provided a central rib M integrally formed with and depending from the rail base plate I9 preferably in vertical alignment with the rail web S. The rib H is coextensive with the remaining elements of the rails and outlined by faces substantially perpendicular to one another to present a square or rectangular cross section. The crossties are, adjacent their respective ends, provided with transverse grooves or recesses I2 extending longitudinally of the railway construction and forming receptacles or pockets I3 for the rail ribs II. The recesses are desirablyformed to neatly receive the rail ribs I I, and in this manner any transverse movement between the rails will be eliminated or arrested. This association of rail rib and crosstie groove obviates the necessity of providing the usual bolts, spikes or like elements to retain the rails in a predetermined transverse relation and, as will be understood, any tendency, created by thesuperimposed rolling stock, of the rails to move transversely with respect to one another will develop shear stresses in the depending ribs, and for this reason the ribs need not be of such great proportion. The rail ribs not only provide a lock to prevent lateral shifting of the associated rail with respect to the subjacent crosstie but also form means for rigidifying the rail against a superimposed load by increasing the over-all depth of the rail without increasing the height of the rail above the crosstie. While only a single rail rib is disclosed in the accompanying drawing and herein described, it will be clearly understood that, if desired, each rail may be provided with two or a series of the illustrated ribs and that such a construction is anticipated.

Due to lateral thrusts being transmitted to the rails by the rolling stock, the rails are bound or anchored to the crossties to prevent transverse tilting thereof, and in order to accomplish this result the portion of the rail in the proximity of the crosstie is secured against the recited tilting by means of an integral rail plate, anchor or bond, generally designated by the reference character I4. The anchor or securing means I4 is desirably formed as a unitary yelement having portions thereof lying above and below the crosstie top ange 3 and laterally on either side of the rail, to thereby distribute any forces transmitted thereto throughout an appreciable area of the crosstie.

Each securing means is provided with a T- shaped orifice or aperture i5 to accommodate the top ilange 3 and web 5 of the crosstie. The aperture I5 extends transversely of the securing means and is partially defined across the upper extremity thereof by inner and outer counterpart plates I6 and its respectively which bearupon a top flange t and extend on either side of the rail transversely of the railroad construction.

Depending from adjacent the longitudinal edges of each upper plate are spaced end legs Il substantially equal in height to the thickness of the top flange 3 and closely embracing the crosstie top flange therebetween. The legs Il desirably extend outwardly or transversely from and in the horizontal plane of the rail depending rib II. The legs il terminate in inwardly or longitudinally directed arms or reentrant flanges I8 which underlie the top iiangev 3 inintimate relation and preferably abut the crosstie web 5.V The flanges I8 extend beneath the crosstie top flange and rail substantially the full length of the securing means to connect the legs Il of each upper plate and, therefore, cooperate with the upper plate ISand I6a through the legs II to bind the rail to the crosstie. The inner or rail adjacent extremity of each upper plate is formed of a configuration to coincide with the yassociated contour of the rail web and anges 9, and in this manner tilting forces created in the rails are distributed across or throughout an appreciable rail and upper plate contacting area, while the same forces will be distributed in the subjacent crosstie through the reentrant flanges I 8; As will be noted, thecorresponding or rail adjacent extremities of the legs Il denne a longitudinally directed guideway orrecess i9 which is in longitudinal alignment with the crosstie groove I2 and accommodates the rail depending rib II. From the foregoing it will be noted that the rails are iirmly retained in transverse alignment and securely anchored'to the crossties through the medium of the securing means I4 without the necessity of bolts, spikes or any like instruments.

The present Yinvention Valso contemplates arresting or preventing longitudinal movement or creeping of the rails with respect to the underlying crosstie and associated securing means. By referring to Figures 4 and 5, wherein an exempliiied form of anti-creeping means is illustrated, there is disclosed a triangular or gusset-shaped knee brace or shear lug 2t forming a downward continuation of the rail rib II and abutting the securing means I. The brace 20 has its upper edge 2I scarfed or tapered, as at 22, to form, with the overlying rib I I, pockets for the reception of longitudinal welds 23. By the particular disposition of the shear lugs in the horizontalplane of the ncrosstie itwill be observed that if the rail 6 is to move longitudinally the forces will be transmitted to the crosstie through the legs II and reentrant anges I8 and that no additional securing means need be employed to effectively overcome any forces tending to shift the rail Y longitudinally. As will be understood, a knee brace may also be positioned onthe opposite side of the securing means or, if desired, knee braces may be oppositely positioned adjacent alternate securing means, and in this manner the rails will be prevented from creeping in either direction.

It will be observed that the illustrated construction is assembled by first threading the top flange 3 and web 5 of the crosstie through the T-shaped orice I5 of the securing means until the guideway I9 of the securing means is in longi- V tudinal alignment with the crosstie vgroove I2, at which time the rail may then be threaded through the correspondingly formed opening in theV securing means. The shear lugs may at that time be welded in place to complete the construction.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, which disclose a construction arranged to lock the meeting or associated ends of the rails together and prevent relative movement therebetween either in a vertical or a transverse direction, there is illustrated, in the present embodiment, two crossties or rail supports 2@ spaced relatively close to one Y another and each of which comprises vertically spaced horizontal top and bottom flanges 3a and 4a, respectively, connected by an intermediate vertical web 5a. superimposed or resting directly upon the crossties 2a are adjacent extremities of rails 65L which have their meeting edges lying-v substantially in a vertical plane between the crossties so as toposition an end of each rail in overhanging relation with the associated subjacent crosstie. The rails 6a of the illustration under immediate consideration are substantially identical in every respect with the construction of the previously illustrated and described rail 6, and, as will be understood, depending rail ribs II*3v are positioned in correspondingly formed grooves or recesses (not shown) in the crossties to prevent lateral movement of the rails with respect to the crossties and to maintain the associated rails in longitudinal alignment and in a predetermined transverse position or relation with respect to the opposite rails of the railroad construction. f

Forming a rail supporting beam spanning the crossties 2a is a rail anchor plate or bond IIIa which, like the previously described anchor I4, is desirably formed as a single element; The securing means I4a comprises inner and outer upper plates I6b and Iiic respectively bearing upon the crosstie top flanges 3*3L on respective sides of the rails 6a and supporting flanges 9a of the rails.

Extending downwardly from adjacent the transverse edges of each of the upper plates are end legs I1a positioned in the close proximity and outwardly of the crosstie top flanges 3a. The end legs are of a height substantially equal to the thickness of the top anges 3a and extend from the longitudinal edges of the securing means t0 the ribs l Ia of the rails to define, as in the previously described structure, a guideway for the rail ribs. Interposed between the end legs Ila are central or intermediate legs I1b which are of a width substantially equal to the distance between the adjacent -edges of the crossties,to therebyform a spacing means to retain the crossties in a predetermined spaced relation longitudinally ofthe railway construction. The end legs I1EL terminate in reentrant flanges I8a which underlie the associated portion of the top flanges and abut the corresponding crosstie webs 5a, while the intermediate legs I1b terminate in oppositely disposed flanges I8D which are positioned in the close proximity and subjacent to the associated portion of the top flanges 3a and also abut the associated crosstie webs 5a. The flanges I3a and Ib extend along the entire length of the securing means to join the end and intermediate legs I1a and I1b respectively and to cooperate with the upper plates lb and ISC to retain the crossties and superimposed rails in horizontal and vertical alignment.

It will be noted that merely an exemplified form of the invention is illustrated and described and that various alterations and amendments may be made thereto without departing from within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a railway construction having a rail provided with a vertical web and supporting flanges, and a subjacent crosstie having vertically spaced top and bottom flanges connected by a vertical web, the combination of a boltless securing means comprising transversely spaced upper plates bearing upon said rail flanges and crosstie top flange and abutting said rail web, end longitudinally disposed legs depending from said upper plates and embracing said top flange, reentrant flanges underlying said top flange in bearing relation therewith and abutting said crosstie web, a

f rib depending from said rail supporting flanges extending through aligned grooves in said securing means and crosstie to prevent lateral movement of said rail, and means secured to said rib being adapted to bear against said end legs to arrest creeping of said rail.

2. In a railway construction having a rail provided with a vertical web and supporting flanges and a subjacent crosstie having vertically spaced top and bottom anges connected by a vertical web, the combination of an integral securing means comprising counterpart plates spaced on either side of said rail and bearing upon said crosstie and rail flanges, legs depending from said plates and terminating in flanges directed toward one another and intimately associated with said crosstie top flange and web, aligned recesses in said crosstie and securing means, means extending downwardly from said rail and ,accupying s-aid recesses to arrest relative transverse movement between said rail and crosstie, and a triangular gusset secured to said means and extending below said crosstie top flange to thereby engage said securing means and prevent longitudinal movement of said rail with respect to said crosstie and securing means.

3. In a railway construction having a rail provided with a vertical web and supporting flanges, and a subjacent crosstie having vertically spaced top and bottom flanges connected by a vertical web, the combination of securing means comprising inner and outer upper plates superimposed on and in bearing relation with said supporting flanges and top flanges, legs depending from longitudinal and opposite edges of each upper plate and embracing said top flange therebetween, spaced reentrant flanges extending beneath said top flange and joining the legs of said inner and outer plates, means depending from said rail and associated with said crosstie for preventing relative transverse movement therebetween, and a knee brace secured to said means and lying entirely within the horizontal plane of said crosstie for engagement with said securing means for preventing creeping of said rail.

4. In a railway construction having a rail provided with a vertical web and supporting flanges, and a subjacent crosstie having vertically spaced top and bottom flanges connected by a vertical web, the combination of a boltless securing means comprising inner and outer upper plates bearing upon said supporting flanges and top flange and abutting said rail web, legs depending from opposite longitudinal edges of each upper plate and embracing said top flange therebetween, spaced flanges extending beneath said top flange and joining the legs of said inner and outer plates, said flanges contacting said crosstie web, and a rib depending from said supporting flanges in the vertical plane of said rail web, said rib being of rectangular cross section and occupying a correspondingly formed recess in said top flange to prevent relative transverse movement between said rail and crosstie and a knee brace welded to said rib and abutting one of said flanges for arresting longitudinal movement of said rail.

5. In a railway construction having a rail provided with a vertical web and supporting flanges, and a subjacent crosstie having vertically spaced top and bottom flanges connected by a vertical web, the combination of securing means compri.,- ing inner and outer upper plates superimposed on said supporting flanges and top flange, legs depending from opposite edges of each upper plate and embracing said top flange therebetween, spaced iianges extending beneath said top flange and joining the legs of said inner and outer plates,

a rib depending from said supporting anges in the vertical plane of said rail web, said rib being of rectangular cross section and occupying a correspondingly formed recess in said top ange to prevent relative transverse movement between said rail and crosstie, and a. kneebrace welded to said rib and adapted to abut said securing means for arresting longitudinal movement of said rail with respect to said crosstie.

6. In a railway construction having a rail provided with a vertical web and supporting flanges, and a subjacent crosstie having vertically spaced top and bottom anges connected by a vertical web, the combination of an integral securing means comprising inner and outer upper plates bearing upon said supporting flanges and top flange and abutting said rail Web, longitudinally disposed legs depending from opposite edges of each upper plate and embracing said top flange therebetween, spaced flanges extending beneath said top flange and joining the legs of said inner y and outer plates, said flanges contacting said crosstie web, a rib depending from Ysaid rail flanges, said rib being interposed between the legs VICTOR WOLFERSBERGER.` 15 

